The Mystery of the Bones

Objectives

Investigate forensic art
and its application in finding missing persons

Determine the identities
of the 4 "unknowns"

Section 1 - Research and Background

As a group, visit the
following sites to gain an understanding of forensic anthropology and what bones
(or remains) can tell you about the deceased. Be prepared to take a quiz (as
a group) when you are finished. Write all answers on a separate page, you can turn in a single page for your entire group.

1. What can the teeth
tell you about the deceased?
2. How can the skull be used to determine age?
3. How is the pelvis of a female different from the pelvis of a male?
4. The hand bones can help you determine what about the deceased?

Explore
Forensics ( http://www.exploreforensics.co.uk/ ) - most can be found
at the link: Analyzing the body

1. What is the first
thing a forensic scientist looks at to identify a deceased?
2. Where is the most accurate place to take the body temperature? Suppose a
body is found and its temperature is recorded at 34 degrees celcius, how long
has the body been dead?
3. Why might a corpse be exhumed?
4. What insect is used to determine time of death? What type of scientist studies
these insects?
5. What is rigormortis and how long does it last?
6. What is lividity?
7. What are the four categories of death?

1. What is the last bone to complete its growth?
2. How are teeth used to estimate age?
3. What is bone "remodeling" and how can it be used to determine age?
4. What is the sciatic notch? How can it be used to determine gender?

Forensic Case Files

5. Browse the cases and choose one that interests you. Describe the case and the key evidence used to solve it.

STOP: TAKE THE QUIZ TO BECOME A LICENSED WEB FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGIST

When you have reviewed
all of the links and feel confident (know the answers to the questions) see
your teacher to get the quiz. You will take the quiz as a group to receive your "Medical Examiner License" that will allow you to proceed to the next section.